"The courage to do right."
"Did I have moral courage when I told Mrs. Lovejoy the truth?"
"Yes, dear. It was hard for you, wasn't it? If it had been easy, there would have been no moral courage about it."
"I am glad I had moral courage!" said Susy with animation. "I knew I did something right, but I didn't know what you called it."
"Now," continued Mrs. Parlin, "I have this very day been talking with a lady, who once lived next door to Mrs. Lovejoy; and she tells me enough about her to convince me that she is not a person I wish for a neighbor. And I have heard enough about Annie, too, to feel very sure she is not a safe companion for my little daughter."
"But, mother," said Susy, "you are not—you don't feel 'stuck up' above Mrs. Lovejoy?"
Mrs. Parlin smiled.
"That is not a very proper expression, Susy; but I think I do not feel stuck-up above her in the least. I am only anxious that my little daughter may not be injured by bad examples. I don't know what sort of a little girl Annie might be with proper influences, but—"
"Now, mamma, I don't want to say anything improper," said Susy, earnestly; "but wouldn't it be the piousest for me to play with Annie, and try to make her go to Sabbath school, and be better?"
Mrs. Parlin did not answer at once. She was thinking of what she had said to Susy about people who are "home missionaries," and do a great deal of good by a beautiful example.